Boot or shoe former.



NoJ '776,0l2. PATEN'TED NOV. 29, 1904. J. F. COLLINS.

BOOT OR SHOE FORMER.

APPLICATION FILM) 113.23. 1904.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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No. 776.012. PATENTBD NOV. 29, 1904. J. F. COLLINS.

B0011 AOR SHOE FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, 1904:y

Nl) MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES Patented November 29, 1904.

PATENT EEicE.

BOOT OR SHOE FORMER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,012, dated November 29, 1904.

Application filed February 23, 1904. Serial No. 194,730. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that l, JEREMIAH F. CoLmNs, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Brockton, county of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Boot or Shoe Foi-mers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing' like parts.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in transversely-divided trees, lasts, formers, or shapers for boots and shoes, and relates particularly to that class of hoot or shoe trees employed for maintaining the shape of the boot or shoe while not in use by the wearer.

The main object of the improvement is to present a strong and durable structure capable of being folded into the smallest possible space for packing or storing.

The features of the invention are more fully set forth hereinafter and pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure l is a side elevation of a shoe-tree embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the tree in its folded compact posi.- tion. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are Views similar to Figs. l, 2, and 3 of a somewhat different form of my invention.

In shoe shapers or former-s of the kind here involved it has been customary hitherto to divide the shoe-former transversely into a fore part and heel part, with the length of the heel part considerably less than that of the fore part, and the hinge-joint has been formed in various ways; but in this style of former it is impossible to bring the former in folded position into a compact shape, so that it will occupy a small space, and in fact it is about as convenient, if not more so, to pack, store, or carry such formers in their normal operative position rather than in any partially-folded condition.

vln my invention l divide the shoe-former transverselyV at or about its center, so that the fore part and heel part are of substantially the same length. i then shape the upper surface of the heel part to conform to the upper surface of the fore part, so that when the fore part and the heel part are folded together they will fit closely and snugly and the former will occupy the smallest possible space. lt is obvious thativarious forms of hinges may be used to secure this result and that the shape of the heel part and fore part near the hinge may be varied slightly.

VIn Figs. '1, 2, and 3 i have shown a shoe former or tree embodying my invention, in which A represents the fore part and li the heel part, of substantially equal length and hinged together by an ordinary tlat hinge C, the form of hinge being, as I have stated, inimaterial. The rear portion of the upper surface of the heel part is shaped to conform to the curve of the fore part, and the rear portion of the fore part and the front portion of the heel part are cut on a plane surface, herein shown as sloping', in order that the curved surface of the .fore part and heel part may be as long as possible. The heel part is provided with a suitable handle l), and a hole E is eut in the fore part to receive the handle l). The handle D may be of any desired form.

1n Figs. 4, 5, and G ll have shown a slightlydilierent forni in which the adjacent surface of the fore part and heel part is made substantially horizontal, and the rear portion of the heel part is carried upwardly to support the shoe to a greater extent at the rear. this construction in the shaping of the heel part to conform to the shape of the fore part the rear of the heel part may be shaped to reach from and around the toe of the fore part, as shown in Fig. G.

In connection with the second form of my invention I have shown a simple form of adjustable hinge F. This adjustable hinge is shown as placed in the vertical slot in the two parts of the shoe-former, and each part of the former is provided with a plurality of holes letter-pins o ,o are provided, and by insertingI the Cotter-pins through the body of the former into one or the other of the holes f/ f the length of the shoe may be varied as desired. ln the construction shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the shoe-former is capable of being set at two different lengths, one of which is illustrated, and the other of which will be caused. by inserting the two Cotter-pins in the holes in the fore part and heel part, (indicated in dotted lines.) In the latter case the joint of the hinge will project very slightly beyond the shoe-former when in its folded position.

In the style of shoe-former shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I have shown a portion of the material of the shoe-former removed for purposes of ventilation and reduction of weight. As illustrated, this is secured by cutting a slot H in the fore part extending from the hole E through to the end of the fore part and by cutting a similar slot K into the heel part. It is obvious that this same result may be secured in various ways.

I do not desire to limit myself to any form of hinge or any particular shape of shoeformer, the main feature of the invention being the dividing of the shoe-former transversely to the two substantially equal parts, with the upper surface of the heel part conforming to the upper surface of the fore part, whereby the shoe-former when folded is compact and takes up the smallest possible space.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isd

l. A shoe-former transversely divided substantially at its center to form a fore part and heel part, said parts being hinged together and the upper surface of the heel part conforming substantially to the upper surface of the fore part whereby the parts may be folded into juxtaposition upon each other.

2. A shoe-former comprising a fore part and a heel part of substantially equal length hinged together, the upper surface of the heel part conforming substantially to the upper surface of the fore part whereby the parts may be folded into juxtaposition and the heel part being provided with a handle and the fore part with an aperture to receive said handle when the parts are in folded position.

3. A shoe-former comprising a fore part and a heel part of substantially equal length and having the upper surfaces conforming the one with the other so that they may be folded into juxtaposition upon each other, a hinge connecting said fore part and heel part and adjustable therein whereby the length of the shoe-former may be varied.

4. A shoe-former comprising a fore part and a heel part of substantially equal lengths, said parts being hinged together to allow the parts to be swung' through an angle of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees, the surface of the fore part and the heel part being shaped to be folded compactly upon each other.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEREMIAH F. COLLINS.

IVitnesseS:

NATHAN HEARD, MABEL PARTELow. 

